Is CPU overclocking worth it for gaming?

Much of over clocking these days is about one side of the processor. Adjusting the Front Side Bus speed. The negatives of over clocking are increased heat, a strain on memory (RAM) and a strain on other components.
Is it worth a few percentage points or frame rates? I think you have to realize that for most games over clocking the CPU does very little to improve performance. Its about the graphics and what graphic card you have. This is where you want to focus your money. Also, make sure your power supply can handle future card upgrades. 700 watts PSU is good so you have headroom for later upgrades. Don't under buy a card if you have a big monitor because more pixels means more graphic power. Motherboards that over clock are great and make it easier but you still must watch for heat issues. This goes for GPU overclocking and CPU over clocking. A unstable over clock will only provide grief and reduce life of component and that may be not a good thing.

Buy the tool you need for the job. If it's important to dig a 10 foot hole, get a heavy gauge steel shovel. Don't try to use a cheaper one and step on it harder.

It is, what it is.

If it comes "OC'ed" then it tends to handle things better if from the manufacturer. That said, any OC'ing must be accompanied by better cooling and attention to details. If you plan to OC on your own because you can do it and even if well cooled, expect a problem sooner or later. You're pushing the specs of the device until it at least a shorten life-cycle or worse it fails. The whole point, the better the quality and provided intention of use will anything last. Alas, doing any OC'ing you push it to happy medium NOT the extreme, a point where it seems to settle and/or wants to remain stable, anything else is at your risk. If spending a few extra dollars makes for a better experience, do it, because if you decide to rely on cheaper, then usually that's what you get and the cost of failed device. Take my advise and do this from the git, not later when things start to get weird or falter, then it maybe too late due to heat stress damage. you decide...

tada -----Willy

Is that some overclockers expected the overclocking to work or demand support for the odd crashes. If you are into stability, you don't do this. If you don't mind a little trouble or crashing to the point of a wipe out, then go ahead.
Bob

Leave it stock and let turbo do the overclocking.

You get playing with that stuff and you might open a 'can of worms'.
Not to mention that if you smoke something it can get expensive.

What's the difference between 50 fps and 55 fps?
Other than bragging rights.